The Blue and Whites stepped on to the pitch at the Calderón, were well-positioned from the off, but soon faced adversity. Belgian-born Carrasco with a cross shot from the left side of the area, opened the scoring (1-0, 7’). Atlético, dominating play and goal chances, piled the pressure on in the attacking half against Málaga creating goal opportunities, including a Griezmann header (9’), and a shot by Juanfran (17’) that was deflected by Kameni.
Midway through the first half came the second local goal. Play on the right from Juanfran flowed into the area, and after two deflections, Gameiro netted the ball at close range (2-0, 24’). Soon after, a free kick from a tight angle saw Sandro put the Blue and Whites on the scoreboard with a fantastic goal (2-1, 31’). The fourth LaLiga goal for the striker from the Canary Islands.
Atlético pulled themselves together after conceding a goal, and a close call by Griezmann was stopped by Kameni (37’). It was the French star, with a subtle header, who assisted the third ‘colchonero’ goal, scored by his compatriot, Gameiro, just before half-time (3-1, 43’).
In the second half, Atlético sought a rapid goal to seal a comfortable lead. It nearly came to fruition for Kevin Gameiro, but a good save by Kameni in minute 47 put paid to local hopes. In the 58th minute, Juanpi substituted Jony, and two minutes later, local central defender, Savic was sent off, forcing Simeone to replace Griezmann, for defender, Lucas Hernández. Juande, decided to bring on En-Nesyri in place of Koné in minute 63.
Immediately after, hope arose for MCF. A corner on the left by ‘Chory’ set up a header for Camacho, who scored against his former team (3-2, 64’). The second consecutive League goal for the midfielder. Duda joined play in substitution of Pablo (72’), and thereafter Carrasco launched a free kick into Kameni’s crossbar (73’). Málaga had more ball possession, and tried their best to outwit Oblak, but it was again the powerful and lethal Carrasco who sealed the home side’s victory with a counter-attack (4-2, 86’).
Chory, in a rather strict move in minute 88, was shown his second yellow card shortly before the final whistle. Málaga were defeated today by one of the main candidates for the LaLiga Santander 2016/17 title.